There’s a variety of “smaller scale” D1 (and even some D2) schools in the Northeast, but I’m not sure about the level of school spirit that these schools offer as well as the academic reputation/level. I want to study biochemistry and premed. 95 unweighted GPA, many honors and APs, many extracurriculars & work… 1240 SAT score, but I only took it once and I know what I need to study for next time. 750 on world history subject test and planning to take chemistry SAT 2 this year.
Can anyone give any insight at all about:
Quinnipiac, Seton Hall, NJIT, Pace, Drexel, Monmouth, Hofstra, UMBC, UMass Lowell & Amherst, Fordham, Manhattan, or any SUNYs with big athletic programs??
I know I have a lot listed, but I do want to just get a general consensus on some of these schools before I attempt to make a visit.
UMass Amherst has excellent spirit and sports is coming on as it grows as an academic power in many areas. New d1 football and solid hoops. They beat Providence this year. And hockey is a national powerhouse. Number one or two all year.
Seton Hall has great hoops.
Fordham has spirit too.
Quinipiac is great little school. Great hockey too. New law school. New PA program. And solid campus.
Hofstra has some good football teams but don’t much else.
The others are great academically but think fall below the schools mentioned in the areas you reference.
Lowell is a really good school but less of a true collegiate campus life experience and Boston is primarily a commuter experience. Umbc beat Virginia in March madness last year. But I know nothing else. It could be great.
In general the schools that aren’t the flagship or near. Say Washington and Washington state. Michigan and Michigan state. Florida and Florida state. Flagship and near. The spirit level drops off and more kids go home on weekends etc
Those schools often have a breakout team in one sport like UMBC in basketball, but often they’ll have a strong team in another sport like hockey or lacrosse. Doesn’t mean there is student support.
Yes, I see you had expressed similar about aid in another thread. I’d agree U Mass Amherst would probably be what you are looking for–medium-sized, but with sports/school spirit. UMBC has strong school spirit. I’m not sure of the culture at most of the others. I think one thing to look at–are the football field/stadium and basketball arena right on campus? Often, not always, students are more likely to go to games if they can walk over. I know someone who attended a medium-sized school in a big-time conference. Both were off-campus. Many still went to the football games–for tailgating primarily–but basketball attendance among students was pretty low–too long to get there and back.
You might also look at Holy Cross in Worcester, MA. It would probably be a reach but a reasonable one. Outstanding academics, as good as anywhere. It claims to meet full financial need (emphasis on claims). I think school spirit is pretty high. Hockey is fun there too.
I looked at Holy Cross, but I just find it to be too small. Syracuse or Villanova would be ideal for me because I know they have everything I’m looking for, but I’m trying to keep my options open for some other places.
I definitely agree that its better to have the athletics on campus!! It just doesn’t always work that way with others places I’m looking like Seton Hall & even Temple’s football.